arXiv subjects

Luca Redaelli

Publications and source records attributed to Luca Redaelli.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2016

Design of polarization-insensitive superconducting single photon detectors with high-index dielectrics

In this paper, the design of superconducting-nanowire single-photon detectors which are insensitive to the polarization of the incident light is investigated. By using high-refractive-index dielectrics, the index mismatch between the nanowire and the surrounding media is reduced. This enhances the absorption of light with electric field vector perpendicular to the nanowire segments, which is generally hindered in this kind of detectors. Building on this principle and focusing on NbTiN nanowire devices, we present several easy-to-realize cavity architectures which allow high absorption efficiency (in excess of 90%) and polarization insensitivity simultaneously. Designs based on ultranarrow nanowires, for which the polarization sensitivity is much more marked, are also presented. Finally, we briefly discuss the specific advantages of this approach in the case of WSi or MoSi nanowires.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Index-antiguiding in narrow-ridge GaN-based laser diodes investigated by measurements of the current-dependent gain and index spectra and by self-consistent simulation

The threshold current density of narrow (1.5 {\mu}m) ridge-waveguide InGaN multi-quantum-well laser diodes, as well as the shape of their lateral far-field patterns, strongly depend on the etch depth of the ridge waveguide. Both effects can be attributed to strong index-antiguiding. A value of the antiguiding factor R = 10 is experimentally determined near threshold by measurements of the current-dependent gain and refractive index spectra. The device performances are simulated self-consistently solving the Schr\"odinger-Poisson equations and the equations for charge transport and waveguiding. Assuming a carrier-induced index change which matches the experimentally determined antiguiding factor, both the measured high threshold current and the shape of the far-field pattern of lasers with shallow ridges can be reproduced theoretically.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Design of broadband high-efficiency superconducting-nanowire single photon detectors

In this paper several designs to maximize the absorption efficiency of superconducting-nanowire single-photon detectors are investigated. Using a simple optical cavity consisting of a gold mirror and a SiO2 layer, the absorption efficiency can be boosted to over 97%: this result is confirmed experimentally by the realization of an NbTiN-based detector having an overall system detection efficiency of 85% at 1.31 micrometers. Calculations show that by sandwiching the nanowire between two dielectric Bragg reflectors, unity absorption (> 99.9%) could be reached at the peak wavelength for optimized structures. To achieve broadband high efficiency, a different approach is considered: a waveguide-coupled detector. The calculations performed in this work show that, by correctly dimensioning the waveguide and the nanowire, polarization-insensitive detectors absorbing more than 95% of the injected photons over a wavelength range of several hundred nm can be designed. We propose a detector design making use of GaN/AlN waveguides, since these materials allow lattice-matched epitaxial deposition of Nb(Ti)N films and are transparent on a very wide wavelength range.

physics.ins-det↗